Mute



Sept 9. y1930. A. DE COSTA 1,775,089

MUTE

Filed June ,1; 1929 6:- -2- f7 F/G-.

www T0@ 4/1/70/1/5 .FE CHSTA 5X W @WM Patentedsept. 9, 1930 PATENT GFFIC ANTONE DE COSTA, OF TAUNTON, MASSACHUSETTS MUTE Application filed .Tune 1,

My invention relates to a new and improved banjo mute which may be made use of by the player by a slight movement of the forearm and without any suspension of playing. The mute ordinarily in use consists of a separate member which is attached to the bridge of the banjo and to do so requires temporary suspension of playing.

It is an object of my invention to provide a banjo mute which is simple in structure and reliable in operation.

Another object of my invention is to provide a banjo mute which may be secured to the tail piece of the banjo and is adapted to be held in position by the pressure of the strings and having a mute means which may be operated by the forearm when necessary during the playing of the instrument.

A further object of my invention is to provide a banjo mute, which not only gives a muted effect, but also produces a vibrato efect. j

Other objects and advantages will appear from the detailed description which follows.

I attain these objects and advantages by means of the device illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a perspective view ofthe device.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the device showing it applied to a banjo.r

Figure 3 is a plan view of the device showing it in actual use.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to Figure l, 1 is a T-shaped base member having the arm 2 and the arm 3. The arm 2 is adapted to rest against the tail piece T, the arm 3 extending outwardly in the direction of the bridge. A leaf spring l is attached to the extremity of arm 3. To the free end of the leaf spring 4 is secured a lever 5, which is provided at one end with a jaw member 6 adapted to hold a rod 7, which acts as a mute. The lever 5 is held away from the base member l in an angular direction by the leaf spring 4 rendering it possible to secure relative movement between these members. A set screw 8 is disposed in the lever 5 and threaded into the base member l, which renders adjustment possible at any particular 192D. Serial No. 367,761.

point if such is desired. A contact member 9 is attached to the end of the lever 5 by a bolt l0, which renders adjustment of the same in any direction possible.

Referring to Figures and 3, it will be seen that the base member is placed on the tail piece T in such a manner that the arm 2 is behind and parallel to the openings in the tail piece for threading the strings. The strings S pass over the horizontal 2 and are threaded in the openings provided therefor in the usual manner. lt will be appreciated that the pressure exerted by the strings when in a taut condition is sufficient to hold the base member rigidly in place. The lever 5 extends downwardly at an angle with relation to the level of the strings and the mute member is below the strings. The mute mav be made to Contact the strings by a slight depression of the lever 5 through the end Si), which may be done by the forearm. Should it be desired to retain the mute in contact with kthe strings for long time without the use of the end 9, this may be accomplished by tightening the set screw 8. The` entire unit may be shifted along the tail piece to any position by merelyloosening the strings.

rl'he manner of use of the mute obvious from an inspection of the drawing. lVhcn it is desi l to use the mute it is placed against the tail piece and. the strir caused to pass over the saine. The mute may be made 'to contact the strings to produce a muted effect, or may be intermittingly applied to produce a vibrato eifect.

All that has been said above in the description of my preferred embodiment is o'l'fered by way of illustration and not limitation. l do not wish to be lim itedto the exact structure of thel preferred embodiment shown and described, or to any particular' material u@ l in the construction of parts, or to the degn or parts, but desire protection st any variations in structure or substitution of equivalents which utilize the principle of my invention and fall within the purview of my invention and are within the spirit and cope of the following claims. Y

The invention havingI been set forth what is claimed as new and useful is:

l. A mute device for a stringed musical instrument for producing a vibrato eilect, comprising in combination, a base member adapted to be supported by a tail piece, a lever means aixed to said base member and being relatively movable thereto, amate carried by said lever at one extremity tliereot` and spaced from and below the strings, said lever being in position to be momentarily depressed at the other extremity.

2. y A mute device for a stringedV musical instrument having a tailpieee and a bridge, comprising in combination a base member positioned between the tail piece and the bridge and belovr the strings, a mute carried by said beso member, said mute being capable of being manipulated to momentarily contact the strings to produce a vibrato eiiect.

3. fr mute device for a stringed instrument having a bridge, taiipieee and strings passing tliereover comprising in combination a T- sliaped base member adapted to rest against said tailpiece and under the strings, said base member extending outwardly in the direction of the bridge, a lever resiliently secured to said base member, a mute carried by said lever under said strings adjacent the bridge, said lever being adapted to be manipulated to actnate said mute against said strings.

l. A mute device for use with a stringed musical instrument having a drumbead, tailpiece and bridge, comprising in combination a T-sbaped base member adapted to rest against the tailpiece and under the strings, a leaf spring secured to the free extremity thereof, a mute, a mute carrying lever secured to said leaf spring, said mute being positioned under the strings and being capable oi' momentary contact with the strings by intermittent depression olf said lever.

Signed at Fall River, in the county of Bristol, State of Massachusetts, this 25th day of May, 1929.

ANTONE COSTA. 

